Timeless or Trendy?

I've been preparing to start a couple of new regularly featured series here at City Southern. One of them on PATTERNS. I've done a few posts on patterns already (like this one on zebra), but there are just so many out there that can be used in design (both good and bad!).

Then, today in blogland, I read a post about stripes over at Three Men and A Lady. The question is - are you still loving stripes, or are you totally OVER the trend?

The post was talking about being over striped walls but still loving a nice wide stripe on this pair of wingback chairs. And, it got me thinking. Thinking about trends and patterns that some may think are old and tired and some are just discovering. You see this in all forms of design. Trends take a while to make their way to the masses and by the time they get there, the trend setters have moved on to something new! Fashion is old as soon as it comes off the runway. Wedding trends are tired before you are finished planning the event. If you want to be on the cutting-edge, it's only the 'edge' for so long. Plus, isn't the point of being on the edge is to do something no one else is doing yet?

So the question remains, how do you stay fresh and new when decorating your home but make it LAST long enough to enjoy it until you can afford to redo it?! You have to be able to mix the classic and enduring styles with the trends to get the best of both worlds. Use classic things in a new and unusal way. Or use trendy things to accessorize. And if you get bored easily like me and you are constantly changing things up, use trendy items in ways that can be changed out easily and inexpensively!

So, stay tuned for the new series. And enjoy these photos of STRIPES. You be the judge...are these stripes classic or trendy? Are you tired of seeing stripes? Is there another trend you're ready to say goodbye to?

all images are via decorpad

CSN Finds + GIVEAWAY!

Ya'll know how I love my one-stop-shops! Who doesn't?! My current list is long and includes all sorts of things. So, I headed over to CSN to find everything I need!
First up: Counter Stools for the M's. Right now they have stools at the kitchen island that take up too much space. What they need is a couple of stools that are backless and tuck right under the counter. I'm thinking something like these:

Next: China Cabinet for the H's. They are redoing their formal dining room. The "vision" is black, white and grey and I think they've settled on an antique white china cabinet. One of these might work:

After That: a NEW sofa for Brother. I've always hated his sofa set. It's comfortable but it isn't attractive. During my last visit, I managed to accidently break it. I really promise it wasn't intentional but when I regained my breath from laughing so hard, the first thing out of my mouth was "I'm not even SORRY!!". Good thing he is undergoing a complete remodel and needs new everything! What do you think of this one, Bubba?

Lastly: Something fun for me! I found these great mirrors at The Big Flea antique show last weekend that would have been perfect to go over the nightstands in the Master. But, the guy wouldn't bargain and so I walked away. They look very similar to this beauty!

And I couldn't stop at just ONE thing I wanted for myself. I am a shopaholic, afterall. So here are a few other things on my Lust-List (or maybe Christmas wishlist?...*hint hint, wink wink*)

This grey Fallon rug goes with everything! Just need to decide which room to use it. 

And these Safavieh chairs will be around my dining room table some day...they WILL... 

And just in case there is something YOU want from CSN, we're doing a GIVEAWAY!! (City Southern's FIRST giveaway to be exact!) $35 good at any of their 200+ online stores! Want to know how to enter? It's easy!
1. Be a blog follower through Google or NetworkedBlogs
2. Leave a comment on this blog post
3. Check back on Friday November 19 to see if you won!

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Congratulations to the winner! Random.org selected for me and came up with number SIX. Sixty-Fifth-Avenue, you're the big winner! Be sure to let me know what email to have the gift certificate sent to  (city.southern -at- yahoo)

Pattern Pattern

 So, yes - I have admitted it before - I am dying to use Kelly Wearstler's Imperial Trellis print somewhere in my house. I thought I had decided ro just wait and use it for a powder room wallpaper project in the future.

Well, I'm working on a project. A reupholstery project and I need fabric for it. I thought I was set on a black and white chevron pattern (and can I just say I was super happy with the price too - $7.95 a yard!!) but the hubster gave it a big thumbs down. I don't know why I listened to him. Anyway, I started looking at other fabric choices and before I knew it, I had it narrowed down to 5 choices. One was the F Schumacher fabric (above) and the other three are by Duralee and Robert Allen seen below.

The 5th fabric was another chevron type pattern that I didn't post but is anyone else noticing a pattern here? LITERALLY. I didn't do that on purpose I swear. Why can't I get this pattern out of my head?? Guess I'll just have to use it and get it overwith. Sometimes the only way to cure an obsession is to indulge. Hopefully I can make it downtown sometime this week to the designer showroom and pick up a few yards for my project. Any thoughts on which one I should use?? Stay tuned for a post on the finished product!!

PS - All images are from Inside Fabric because it is a totally amazing website with a totally amazing sister site: Inside Avenue. They are both part of Inside Stores LLC and you should check them BOTH out. kthx.

Obsession Confession

As someone with OCD, I tend to obsess over lots of things. I like to blog about my obsessions and give the occasional honorable mention here and there. Lots of my obsessions are design related, or have become design related. I feel quite proud of myself when the things I obsess over become big fashion trends instead of obsessing over a current fashion trend. I'd like to think of myself as a leader, not a follower.

So, today's Obsession Confession (I may make this a regular thing) is ZEBRA PRINT. I think I originally fell in love with zebra print because of the black and white, but I love it in brown & ivory for decorating. KM is thinking of using a brown zebra rug for her family room re-do and I could not be more jealous!

Take a looksy at some tasteful zebra decor:

Images from Decorpad